photo by miguelb (CC BY 2.0)
I received an e-mail recently seeking stories of sudden realizations that prompted a major life change. The e-mail came from Chip and Dan Heath, authors of many leadership and communications books I have read. They shared the story of Julie, an office worker, who saw a co-worker really enjoying her job. Julie realized that the co-worker held a position she would likely hold in a few years. Julie also realized that she would never enjoy it like her co-worker did. In a flash of insight Julie realized that many of the annoyances she experienced at work were actually all connected. They were part of the job, a job that was a poor fit for Julie’s personality. Julie had experienced a “crystallization of discontent” that led her to seek a career change.
Reading about the concept of a crystallization of discontent reminded me of a speech I heard years ago by pastor Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church outside Chicago. He talked about “holy discontents” or things he would see that bugged him, things he just couldn’t shake. For example, he noticed that some customers at a local car wash treated the employees poorly. He noticed the same thing at other places of business and in other situations. In a spiritual crystallization of discontent, he realized that wealth differences underlay what he saw: some wealthy people valued or de-valued others based on how much money they made. He saw this as a spiritual issue, a “holy” discontent, and began looking for ways his church could respond.
I encourage you to take some time in prayer to consider the things that annoy you. Ask God if they may be connected in a way you’ve not realized before. Perhaps God will give you a new insight. Perhaps you’ll experience a crystallization of discontent. Maybe God will prompt you to action.
Next week I’ll write about a related but opposite experience, the crystallization of contentment. Sometimes one realizes that many positive things in life actually have a common link, and that realization prompts a response.
I hope to see you for worship Sunday! Have a great weekend!
Rich
Rich Rindfuss
Access Pastor
First United Methodist Church Richardson